CATCHING Synonyms: 407 Similar and Opposite Words

catching 1 of 2

adjective

ˈka-chiŋ

Definition of catching

as in infectious

capable of being passed by physical contact from one person to another a cold is often catching before the symptoms even begin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in spreading

exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others a catching smile that instantly puts patients at ease

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catching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of catch

as in grabbing

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly we tried to catch the kitten before she could sneak out the door

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as in getting

to become affected with (a disease or disorder) you'll catch the flu for sure if you don't get a shot

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as in stopping

to bring (something) to a standstill I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in securing

to put securely in place or in a desired position caught back her hair with a barrette

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as in knowing

to have a clear idea of I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy

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as in tricking

to cause to believe what is untrue a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story

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as in encountering

to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face I'll catch you at the library tomorrow

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as in noticing

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes I looked out the window just in time to catch the neighbor's dog digging up my flower bed

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as in chasing

to move fast enough to get even with despite the suspect's considerable lead, the fleet-footed police officer was able to catch him and make an arrest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

falling short

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of catching

Adjective

The Braves gained four years and millions of dollars by substituting Olson for Freeman at first base – even though one of those traded was slugging catching prospect Shea Langeliers. — Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2026 The designs are eye catching and beautiful, inspired by South Florida's beaches and ocean water. — Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

Verb

When Bob Iger released a statement naming me as his successor, the news stunned most people at the company, catching them entirely off guard. — Bob Chapek, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026 Tucker Kraft has been a nice security blanket for the Packers, catching five of nine targets for 80 yards. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching

Adjective

But, when Dovner questioned him lightly about the details, the man’s infectious laughter made Gleb even more convinced that such trifles were hardly worth mentioning at all.

— Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2026
On the other sideline, there were tons of smiles, and none more infectious than that of Robinson, who finished the game with 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of infectious

Verb

Michael the Lawyer and Ben the Barrel Racer go into the third crypt (Alan calls them gay Lara Crofts) and have the option of grabbing $15,000 in gold or $5,000 and a clue about the Traitors.

— Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Smith’s own reflection points to why the day-to-day matters more than any headline-grabbing cleanse.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of grabbing

Verb

But when her character — saucy British writer Constance Clavinger — turns out to be a handful (getting drunk at the airport bar, for starters), Homer struggles to get her to the school on time.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026
As a girl growing up in the 1970s, Griffin recalls how her parents and other neighbors in the two-street patch of homes did not let their children play at the nearby Fannie Robinson Park after some of them started developing rashes or getting sick.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of getting

Verb

This, combined with the glacial pace of emissions reductions, gives the sense that key players are more interested in surviving what’s coming, rather than stopping it.

— Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
There are hydraulic disc brakes at both ends for stopping power.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of stopping

Verb

The second one is in securing a very stable supply chain — that has been on our top of the list for the last couple of months, and that requires agility, a strength in systems and very strong partnerships.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Nature’s underground vaults Scaling hydrogen into a major energy source depends largely on securing viable, high-capacity storage sites.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of securing

Verb

The candles are all different lengths, gradually burning out, and there’s no way of knowing how long each one is.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
In cities like Atlanta, inking deals can rely on knowing the right people or on multigenerational relationships.

— Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of knowing

Verb

Wardle found that a simple variation of ClickFix attack—a technique that has become remarkably effective in tricking people into infecting their devices—is all that’s required for an attacker to take control of a Muse account.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
Exhaust fumes mimic the smells of decaying organic matter, tricking lovebugs looking for nesting grounds.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of tricking

Verb

Tiny creatures like crabs and ants traveled huge distances, encountering all sorts of dangers—driven by the instinct to lay eggs and reproduce at any cost.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
How Regulation Will Shape The Winners The history of fintech is replete with businesses that grew quickly before encountering regulatory obstacles.

— Antoine Sallis, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026